I knew Saturday, January 27, 2024 would arrive quickly. This was our final morning at the house before packing up and driving to the harbor in Honolulu.
Another pretty morning greeted us in Waialua. On Friday, we had been diligent about washing clothes, packing, and going over our checklists. We knew our targeted departure time, and I was really trying to enjoy my last views around the house.
On the backside of the house, on the Dole property, we were treated to an early morning baseball game. A small, but boisterous crowd was on hand to cheer the youngsters for both teams. We could hear the ebb and flow of the game based upon the sounds of the spectators.
From either porch, the views were bright and sunny. I will miss staring into the dark green hills of the Waianae Range that can be shrouded with cumulus clouds and highlighted with a perfect blue sky backdrop.
From the end of the other porch, there is the constant snapshot of an ever changing Pacific Ocean. Its water hues are always transforming as waves cleanse its palette.
But, I think I will miss the porch on the ocean side the most. Shaded, open, comfortable, so comfortable that I’m not sure I want to board the cruise ship.
By mid-morning, we are loaded. The drive into Honolulu is uneventful. We are dropped off at the ship terminal. Butch and Dan make the short drive back to the airport to return the rental van.
Our luggage was swooped away on a large flatbed cart. Betsy, Judy, Marian, and I find a bench. For several minutes we take in the mass of humanity that is before us. It is a study in amateur people watching. Some people are hustling. Others have a slower pace. Some are intense in their communication. A few have come decked out in their swimming attire. They are ready to be the first at the pool.
Butch and Dan return with no problems in the dropping the van off. Now, we are ready to wind our way through the check in process. We clear the security checks, and once we are fully on board, our first stop is our assigned safety station and our designated lifeboat.
With this behind us, we start our navigation of the ship to a dining room for lunch. We do a good job in following the layout of the ship, and within minutes we are seated with a slightly grumpy waitress working our table.
After lunch, we explore the ship some more, work our way to our rooms, make sure our luggage has arrived, and then we regroup by the pool.
Butch, Dan, and I navigate a stop at one the poolside bars. I’m wearing my old, well-worn, East Carolina University hat.
No sooner have we placed our order, and a guy on the other side of the bar becomes quite animated when he spots my hat. He too is wearing an East Carolina University hat. He wonders when I graduated. I have to explain to him that our youngest daughter earned her degree from East Carolina.
He continues to probe by asking where I’m from. When I tell him Richmond,Virginia, he immediately hopes that I had nothing to do with the removal of the Civil War statues on Monument Avenue. I make a comment to sidestep his inquiry because I’m not about to tangle verbally with a guy who already appears to be wound tight about Civil War statues.
In truth, I’m a bit nervous about shoving off at 7 p.m. I’ve never been out on the ocean in a huge ship. I’m hoping the ship and my body will encounter smooth sailing. I don’t want a barf bag to become my new best friend.
Speaking of new best friends, at some point during the afternoon, we met via the ship’s p.a. system our tour director for the cruise. Her name is Anne Marie, whenever she came on the p.a. she bellowed out a big “ A Lo Ha!” Her boisterous announcements were a nerve plucking for me.
Later in the afternoon, we figured out the timing of our dinner plans. We make it back to a dining room, and place our orders. As we were finishing up dinner, we could feel the first signs that the Norwegian Cruise Line ship the Pride of America was starting to move away from its berth.
Leaving the restaurant, we walked around on one of the decks. There we could clearly see a team of tugboats positioned at points along the ship to help get it underway.
The Honolulu Harbor was pretty with an assortment of lights reflecting off the dark water. I don’t know the timing of when we cleared the harbor.
I was excited about the exploring that awaited us, and so far, my tummy and equilibrium were cooperating. However, I knew that could change quickly out on the open Pacific.
I was ready for sleep knowing that Kahului on Maui would be waiting for us when we docked on Sunday morning at 8.
might be baloney 